Did you know your skin and surface wipes most likely contain plastic? Ugh. Realizing this practice is unnecessary and bad for the environment, Biom set out to make a plastic-free, biodegradable option and is now growing a product line around it.
“Biom is the world’s first refillable, biodegradable, and home compostable wipes system,” the company stated.
Although it does offer a travel pack in the ubiquitous reseal packaging found in other types of wipes, it’s primary focus is on making wipes for every surface available anywhere you need it: the car, the camping tote, the bathroom, kitchen or cafeteria. For the initial setup, customers can order a starter kit, which includes wipes and a refillable dispenser. The dispensers are available in a range of colors to match any interior design. From there, customers can order refill packs for convenient and low-waste use in the dispenser.
Related: Good Green Cleaners wipe away all unnecessary germs
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Currently, the company is offering three types of wipes. The first is a biodegradable and truly flushable wipe that is septic safe, since it begins breaking down as soon as it comes into contact with water. These wipes are unscented, pH balanced and infused with a touch of aloe for use on all areas of your body.
The second type of wipe is for use as a hand sanitizer. It is formulated to leave hands feeling moisturized rather than dry and meets CDC criteria for eliminating 99.9% of the germs we encounter day to day. They are available in scent options Eucalyptus Chill or Bergamot Bloom. The initial starter kit also has an option for a combo, which contains one refill package of each scent.
The third type of wipe is for use on, well, everything. It’s designed to be gentle enough for kids, pets, surfaces and skin. Like the other options, this all-purpose cleaning wipe is also plastic-free, 100% plant-based and biodegradable. It’s available in lavender, grapefruit and sandal scents.
All of Biom’s wipes are home compostable, so if you haven’t started your compost pile yet, here’s some further inspiration. Products can be ordered from the company website and also found in The Container Store, as well as online at the Grove Collaborative and other retailers.
Each blend is a little different, but in general, they are all made from natural ingredients such as water, aloe, leaf juice, essential oils, wood pulp and plant alcohols.
Currently, the dispenser and refill packaging still contain BPA-free plastic, but the company is working towards changing that. It is testing a material that will soon enable customers to recycle the refill packaging. Travel packs packaging can be recycled after removing the small resealing flap. Biom is also digging into options for the dispenser, such as using recycled ocean plastic.
The primary obstacle is having the purchasing power for large quantities of recycled plastic pellets, a challenge that is fading as the company grows larger. For now, the goal is to keep the dispenser in use as long as possible to avoid landfill waste. The quality and durable design comes with a lifetime warranty and offers a tight seal to keep wipes moist.
While it works towards cleaning up its packaging, Biom has partnered with rePurpose Global to “wipe out plastic waste and create recycling programs that support underdeveloped communities.” The company is taking a global view in regards to its impact saying, “Every Biom product purchased contributes to our annual commitment of removing 1.8 million single-use plastic pouches from nature and funding 50 jobs dedicated to removing plastic waste. Through our partnership with rePurpose Global, we are also Certified Plastic Neutral.”
All Biom products are vegan and cruelty-free, with zero testing on animals. Biom wipes are manufactured in the U.K. and fibers are sourced from a leading producer in Austria.
Biom product review
The company offered to send some of the newly-released Santal Natura scent all-purpose wipes and they arrived a few days later. With seven pets and three kids in the house, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to try them out. I keep one package in the car and another in a central location of the home.
I would describe this particular scent as mildly sandalwood-ish with a hint of citrus. It’s not at all overbearing, and that’s a statement coming from someone who is extremely scent sensitive. I appreciate that I actually had to put it up to my nose to smell it.
Overall, the wipes performed well. I’ve wiped down countertops, tables, toilets, spots on the floor, and even the aforementioned pets and found them to be strong with an adequate amount of moisture. Look, Biom isn’t trying to recreate the wheel here. These are wipes and they perform exactly as they are supposed to without tearing, left behind lint or unpleasant chemical smell. While there’s nothing ground-breaking about the performance, it’s wonderful to know the wipes are plant-based, biodegradable and safe for use throughout my home.
Images via Biom
Editor’s Note: This product review is not sponsored by Biom. All opinions on the products and company are the author’s own.
